I hope that this missive finds you in better spirits than my last. I am aware that since the arrival of that unhappy note your poor wife Catherine, has been, as I myself have, in a state of untold anguish, scarcely recovering from one fit of nervous hysteria afore she descends into another. Such frequent faints must be proving quite a trial for all concerned. Poor Catherine has ever been at the mercy of her nerves. Though, confess, being so very entirely sans Maria has left me hankering after the happy oblivion that only feminine frailty will provide.

However Charles, I do not write today to convey sentiments of sympathy but something rather more extraordinary. Indeed what has passed has left me in a state of some considerable perplexed confusion, it is so peculiar a peculiarity that I know not quite how to elucidate upon the matter, for it is so very illogical as to render it quite celestial. Thus I have enclosed this letter in the hope that all the particulars shall be made quite plain to you and poor Catherine,

My Dearest Catherine, I believe that I do not exaggerate when I write that as Woodville, Captain Bryson and I stood upon the threshold faced by the imposter in the footman’s guise I was so astonished at being so wholly caught out that I was quite ready to cast myself into apoplectic despair. However afore I could abandon my senses thus Woodville addressed the fellow.

“It is Lord and Lady John Smith,” said he, then he indicated Captain Bryson and continued “Robert, … Smith, he is Smith also. ” Said he after a moments hesitation. Catherine sometimes I wonder at Woodville’s inability to devise suasive names, why summoning to mind an Austen, a Bennet or even a Woodhouse is beyond him I know not.Continue reading →

I hope this missive reaches you safely and finds you in good health and robust spirit. It has been of concern to, dear sister, that of late my letters to you are greatly lacking in sentiment and declarations of sisterly affection and for that I crave your forgiveness, but I fear that it is too late to mend my ways now, and thus I shall fill the pages before me in the same vain and merely offer you a continuation of the account of our endeavours to defeat the churlish Mr Turner.Continue reading →